Downes refuses to pass the buck as Bulls hit 'psychological block'

Hereford conceding early is a 'psychological block', according to boss Aaron Downes

Aaron Downes admits Hereford may be battling a “psychological block” after conceding early yet again in their 2-1 defeat to Spennymoor Town.

The Bulls found themselves behind after just 72 seconds at Edgar Street, the latest in a string of slow starts that have left them chasing games in recent weeks.

Downes was frank in his assessment, insisting the issue cannot be blamed on what came before his arrival, seeing as it was a problem the Bulls had under Paul Caddis.

"I've got to take responsibility as well because there's six players out there in the end that I've brought into the football club," he told the press.

"It's not a previous thing, I'm not going to pass the buck on that. It's easy to do that."

Hereford have now conceded early in four of their last six games, and Downes believes the problem may be more mental than tactical.

'I'm almost certain it's a psychological block," he admitted. "I've got to be the one that has to get that out of us as a group, as individuals, but as a group.

"I've addressed that at the end there but I will make sure I address that Thursday night at training and again on Saturday because it's really important that we give ourselves the opportunity to build into a match."

The early setback against Spennymoor proved costly, with the visitors doubling their lead before half-time and leaving Hereford with too much to do despite a vastly improved second-half showing.

And while Downes praised the character his side showed after the break, he made it clear where the real issue lies.

He said: "It's good that we're showing character to give it a go and to completely dominate the second half and had numerous opportunities to get ourselves back in the game and potentially something out of the game.

"But we've got to be doing that at nil-nil. We've got to be braver, stronger, smarter in how we approach the first 15 minutes of football matches because it's really frustrating.

"It's like putting a pin in a balloon when that happens at our home."

Despite the growing concern, Downes insists he has not lost faith, belief or confidence in his squad as they look to turn their form around.

The Bulls now face Buxton at Edgar Street on Saturday, hoping to close the four-point gap between themselves and Oxford City.